SLAP SHOT; DiPietro Reveals Depression

By ALLAN KREDA

Published: March 1, 2013

waived last week by the Islanders and sent to the American Hockey League, said in a television interview Thursday that he had battled depression and even had suicidal thoughts over his inability to live up to the 15-year $67.5 million contract he signed in 2006.

Goaltender Rick DiPietro, waived last week by the Islanders and sent to the American Hockey League, said in a television interview Thursday that he had battled depression and even had suicidal thoughts over his inability to live up to the 15-year $67.5 million contract he signed in 2006.

DiPietro said the Islanders’ constant losing, his personal stream of season-ending injuries over the past three years, and taunting from Islanders fans pushed him to consider driving himself “into a tree.”

He told News 12 that being waived last week – with eight years and $36 million remaining on his contract – felt like the Islanders had “ripped my heart out, stabbed it, set it on fire and flushed it down the toilet.”

“We are aware of Rick’s comments today and the severity of them,’’ the statement said. “We will handle them internally as we do with all player matters. This is an opportunity for Rick to play lots of games in Bridgeport.”

This is not the first time, though, that DiPietro has seemed to joke about suicide. In an article in The Times last April he said: “There were times I was driving over the Throgs Neck Bridge and I thought I’d veer right and end it. It’s tough times. This is a tough business. Physically, it’s hard, but mentally, it’s incredible. I always say you’ve got to laugh to keep from crying, because there are those days when you sit in the stands, and your teammates are like a family.”

The No. 1 pick in the 2000 N.H.L. entry draft, DiPietro has struggled during his career, particularly over the past five seasons. Since the end of 2007-8, he has played only 50 games, including three losses this season. He missed most of the 2008-9 and 2009-10 seasons with hip and knee injuries. He returned in 2010-11 but was hurt in a fight midway through that season, ultimately playing only 26 games. Last season, he was limited to eight contests because of a concussion and groin injury that eventually required sports hernia surgery.

He last played for the Islanders in a 3-1 loss at Ottawa on Feb. 19.The Islanders could seek a buyout this summer for DiPietro’s contract, which has a $3.6 million prorated hit on the Islanders’ salary cap during this 48-game lockout-shortened season. The cap will fall from $70.2 million this season to $64.3 million next season.

This is a more complete version of the story than the one that appeared in print.

waived last week by the Islanders and sent to the American Hockey League, said in a television interview Thursday that he had battled depression and even had suicidal thoughts over his inability to live up to the 15-year $67.5 million contract he signed in 2006.